Sarah Morrison, PT, MBA, MHA, CEO of Shepherd Center, has announced she will retire September 20, 2024, after a 40-year career at Shepherd Center.

Morrison began her career at Shepherd Center as a physical therapist in 1984. Since then, she has served in various leadership roles at Shepherd Center, including vice president of clinical services, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program, and director of the medical/surgical and ICU programs, among others. She became CEO of the 152-bed hospital in 2017.

Shepherd Center has flourished during Morrison’s tenure as CEO. With Morrison’s leadership, Shepherd Center’s outcomes have regularly exceeded national averages, and the neurorehabilitation hospital became one of an elite group of hospitals recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. She also has led efforts to increase patient access and improve patient and family experience through Shepherd Center’s Pursuing Possible campaign.

“It has been one of the highlights of my life to serve our patients and their families alongside our staff – the best team in the world,” said Morrison. “I am so proud and grateful for what we have accomplished together to help thousands of patients and families begin again after injury or illness.”

Morrison also announced that upon her retirement, Shepherd Center’s current president and chief operating officer, Jamie Shepherd, MBA, MHA, will become CEO.

“Jamie Shepherd is an immensely talented leader who is well-positioned to usher Shepherd Center into its next 50 years,” Morrison said. “He knows our culture, business, and community inside and out, and I look forward to serving alongside him over the next 10 months as he transitions to serving as CEO.”

During his tenure as president and chief operating officer, Shepherd has provided the administrative direction of clinical operations. He works to implement the proper processes and resources to optimize the hospital's clinical operations, ensuring financial strength and operating efficiency. In the past two years, Shepherd has overseen the construction of Shepherd Center’s new buildings, the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences and the Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation, which will open in 2024 and 2025.

Shepherd will become CEO on September 21, 2024.